Chiang Mai may be one of the country’s largest and most vibrant cities but there is plenty to do outside of town as well. We’ve previously looked at the countryside escapes around the city and there is a wide variety of cultural activities to discover right on your doorstep.

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If you head north out of the city, you’ll quickly find yourself in beautifully lush countryside and the further you travel the more isolated and mountainous the terrain becomes. One of the most popular activities for visitors heading to Chiang Mai is to explore the wider province and learn more about the people that inhabit the region.

Tribal Villages

There are countless tribal villages within driving distance of Chiang Mai’s old town with a large population still enjoying a traditional way of life, which has often remained virtually unchanged for generations.

These tribal villages can be broken down into several ethnic groups including Karen, Hmong and Paduang. Each group is hugely different, for example, Green Hmong and White Hmong tribes speak in completely different dialects and have varying traditional dress. Each hill tribe maintains its own set of customs and beliefs, but to western eyes it is easiest to differentiate them by their colorful and usually hugely ornate traditional dress.

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The Karen hill-tribe group is the most populous with around 500,000 dotted throughout Thailand’s northern region as well as Myanmar, from where many are relatively recently arrived refugees. The Paduang are a subgroup of the Karen people and probably the most famous and certainly the most recognizable tribe in the country. The women in the Paduang tribe are famous for the heavy brass rings they wear around their necks, to give the impression of a longer neck which is considered a sign of beauty in their culture.

Throughout Chiang Mai you’ll be able to arrange tours to take you to visit these hill tribe villages where you can discover more about their culture and the history of these communities. It’s also possible to hire a driver, or rent a motorbike, and head out to some of the villages further afield that are off the tourist trail. Once you’re there you should consider buying souvenirs or lunch from the local people as in many cases this is their livelihoods and they may not receive a substantial proportion of the fee you paid to the tour agency.

Food of Northern Thailand

Another huge part of the culture of northern Thailand is the food. There are many regional dishes that you may have enjoyed in cafes and restaurants in the old town, such as khao soi, a chicken noodle soup and a real northern delicacy. Cooking classes are always a popular activity with visitors and you are spoilt for choice in Chiang Mai. Food is really taken very seriously here! As you wander through the old town you’ll see plenty of cooking schools or tour companies promoting countless options. But it is well worth heading out of the city to learn how to prepare your favorite dishes in a slightly more tranquil atmosphere.

There are several options of cooking schools located outside of the city such as Smile Organic Farm Cooking School, where you’ll walk around the vegetable garden choosing ingredients before you start cooking in a peaceful, open-air kitchen (don’t worry, it is covered in case of rain!). Thai Farm Cooking School is another great option, a very popular whole-day course set in gorgeous surroundings.

If you have the time you could even try a multi-day course, such as the three day course at YouSubai Cooking School, located around 90 minutes outside of the city. They’ll pick you up from Chiang Mai and take you to Pun Pun, a center based in a small mountain community. This is an incredibly peaceful location with an on-site guesthouse as well as yoga lessons to help you unwind after a busy day in the kitchen.

Thai Massages

Thai massages are also world-famous and it is possible to enjoy a relaxing and refreshing massage almost anywhere in Thailand with Chiang Mai being no exception. Whilst the massages you’ll receive in the old town will no doubt be thoroughly enjoyable, you should consider heading out of the city into the countryside and mountains for a truly luxurious experience.

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There are plenty of retreats all around the outskirts of the city that also offer yoga and meditation classes. It is possible to visit many of these centers either just for the day or attend courses spanning anything between a couple of days and several weeks. Either way, the fresh air and peaceful ambience will no doubt do wonders, allowing you to really relax and forget all about the outside world.

Whilst most visitors will only spend their time discovering the spots within Chiang Mai’s old town walls, it really is worth heading out of town to appreciate the stunning scenery as well as take this opportunity to learn more about the region’s people, culture and history. Trust us; you’ll be very glad you did!